Killer Colada: a Danger Cove Cocktail Mystery by Sibel Hodge, Elizabeth Ashby Read Free Book Online Page A

I phoned him earlier," Ruby said. "He seemed genuinely shocked about what had happened. He lives in Seattle but said he was driving down early tomorrow morning to make the funeral arrangements. He said he'd speak to you about arranging the wake here," she said to me.
    "Seattle's not that far," Vernon said. "He could've easily got down here and back to bump her off. What does he do for a living?"
    "Um…he's a doctor," Ruby said. "A cardiologist who works at a private practice."
    "A doctor? That means he could've got hold of the pentobarbital too," I said. I'd been convinced that Pandora's death was linked somehow to Jenna's, but maybe not. Maybe it was just about greed, and Ian wanted some of Pandora's money.
    "Perhaps Tim's telling the truth, then," Vernon said. "Perhaps he really was set up."

CHAPTER SIX
     
    I was awakened early by a banging on my door. The apartment had two entrances, one internal door with access from the tavern, and one that led directly out to the side of the building. This is where the noise was coming from. I dislodged Zen from his usual lounging position around the top of my head, and he gave me an indignant huff. I was hoping it was Harvey. I'd been having a very nice dream where Harvey and I had been traveling on the Ocean's Revenge , when it had sunk just off a deserted island in the middle of the Caribbean. Karma and Zen were with us too, and we all managed to make it to the golden shores, sheltering under the lush mango trees and banana plants as we worked together to build a house while the cats caught us fish for dinner, heading out to sea with their snorkels and masks on, which was a bit weird. At night we made love under the moonlit sky, stars so abundant it seemed as if they were falling into the sea on the horizon.
    Unfortunately, it wasn't Harvey at the door. It was Lester Marshall. Bummer.
    "Oh, hi." I leaned on the doorframe, wiping my eyes.
    "I need to ask you some more questions."
    "Right." I stepped back. "You'd better come in."
    He followed me up the stairs into the lounge and glanced around disapprovingly. At one time he'd been involved with Bob's daughter, Elise, and I knew he still held some kind of grudge against me because Elise had now left town. "You've done all right for yourself, haven't you?"
    I bit back a swear word and said, "I'd get rid of it in an instant if it meant bringing Bob back."
    Zen walked into the lounge, hissed at Lester, and bristled up his tail. Even Zen was a good judge of character.
    "Get that thing away from me," Lester snarled at Zen.
    "The cat stays." I rested a hand on my hip and tilted my head. "Now, do you want to sit?" I indicated the sofa. He was just about to sit down when Zen beat him to it and jumped up onto one of the cushions. He sized Lester up, eyes half-closed, wiggling his rear end like he was about to pounce.
    "Er…no, I think I'll stand." Lester eyed Zen warily and took a step toward the window.
    I sat, curled up my legs, and stroked Zen's chin.
    Lester looked out of the window, his back to me. "Did you see anyone else hanging around Pandora's house when you arrived?"
    "No, just Tim Baxtor. Do you think someone could've sneaked in the back patio door?"
    He swung around and folded his arms across his chest. " I'm asking the questions here." He paused for a moment. "Do you think someone could've sneaked in the back patio door?" he asked me as if he'd suddenly thought of it himself.
    I looked at him for a few seconds. Did an inward sigh before answering. "Yes, it's possible. I heard that Tim said he was framed."
    "Where did you hear that?" he snapped. "That's not common knowledge. We haven't released a statement yet."
    Oops! I wasn't about to expose Vernon or his contact. If in doubt, change the subject. "Er…" I waved a hand vaguely in the air. "What about Ian, Pandora's son? Do you think he could be involved?"
    "Highly unlikely."
    "Does he have an alibi? If he inherited Pandora's estate, that would also be a motive."
    "What, like you